I know many of you have always had the breed you have at present, but have you ever been tempted to have a different breed of dog? and what is it about your chosen breed that makes you stick with them/never have a different breed?.  Just thought it would make for an interesting read and give others an insight into your breed.

Michelle :)

I have 3 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and they are the only breed I have ever and would ever own. I have owned them for 10 years now and I adore the breed. They are very loyal and a loving breed, ideal for children and adults.

If I couldn't have CKCS I would choose golden lab

I have had Tibetan Breeds since 1979, as my oldies went there was the feeling that a dog of the same breed would not be acceptable and be thought as ,as a replacement which could never happen so we have had Lhasa Apso's Tibetan Terriers, Tibetan Spaniels and Tibetan Mastiffs they are a lot the same in temprement if not in size our family is made up of all these breeds now, but my husbands choice of Dogue de Bordeaux was introduced 3 years ago I do love my Dogues but I would not say there is a passion as with my Tibetans.

My first dog was of a different breed and of a very different mental makeup to my present one.  The Elkhounds just suit me, and I cannot ever see myself wanting anything else.  I often look after freinds dogs of many and varied breeds, from Dobes, Welsh Springers, Retrievers, Terriers, but definately wouldn't want to live with any of them including my much loved and lamented first dog.

Why, well they are loving, but independant, always happy to have attention, but not up your backside and bereft if you are not within sight.  They have a mind of their own and are proud and you feel you have to earn their respect no simpering yes men here :D

For me they are sufficently Obedient to let off lead, are socialble so not a probl;em with other dogs, and their attitude to opeople is that everyone is their freind unless they give cause to think otherwise.  They have an uncaccy knack of knowing when a situation warrants a little protection of MUm, but this is a side of them rarely seen.

Well we've got 3 elkhounds....and a shiba(my daughters).
Why do I stick with them? Good question!! They can be stubborn,independant,bloody minded,vocal,unreliable off lead....but thats part of the challenge.
However they are the greatest characters and most 'individual' dogs I have ever owned. Each one of my boys are completely different. I love their looks and their spirit and I love that independant nature.
I have to admit that another great thing about elks is their owners! It is a great social day out round the elkie show ring and everyone is supportive and freindly. I don't think I show a breed where there was a bad atmosphere among competitors.
Archer

Yep we enjoy our days out at shows, help with each others dogs when spare hadns are needed, and have a lot of good natured teasing.

Have had a lot of stewards rtemarking aobut the good humour this year.  That is what showing should be about.  We know that breeders and exhibitors may disageree on what they think is the ideal dog, but all will help each other out on the day.

I've always been in love with Siberian huskies. The first time I decided that I wanted to have one was when I first watched Balto, that awesome animated movie. I just loved Jenna, the red and white husky. From then on, Sibes were my love. Finally I got my red and white Sibe girl, Kieron. Then she gave birth to a beautiful litter, resulting in my second baby, Houdini.

I really love different breeds and always think, oh it would be neat to own one of those. But when I think really hard about it, I just cannot picture myself with any other breed.

If it makes any sense[sp?], I would feel as though I was betraying the Siberian husky breed by owning a different breed! I am dedicated to huskies and won't have another breed, at least not any time soon. :)

My first breed of dog that I got from my parents to live with me was a red and white setter, and the only breed I have ever lived with, however, although I love the breed, theres just something about them that doesn't make me want that breed only, unfortantly parent do and while I live at home, I live by there rules (fair enough).  I do own and show aussie shepherds which I do prefere and will ALWAYS have an aussie becaus eI find them so loyal and loving and I adore the breed.  But I also want a Toller.  I would love to get one tomorrow, but I have looked into it and me getting one now will mean sitting on a 2 year waiting list (average) and in 2 years time, hopefully I will be at uni (so haveing a dog wouldn't be fair!)  So once I have settled I will own a toller, just not now!!!

My main problem is I love alot of dogs, I have not found one breed that does everything for me, I have handled near on 100 different dogs in breed classes and junior handling, making about 40 different breeds.  I have only ever showen a breed of dog that I like.  I doubt I will ever find one breed for me, I love most breeds (admitily not all)  and so....in answer to question...yes I am very tempted, but I will always have a red and white and an aussie!

I have had GSDs for 46 years, BC's for 34 years & cavaliers for 12 years, I did have beardies for 15 years as well.

I love my BC's they are so very clever not just for work but with the empathy they develop with their owners, It's the first time for 34 years that I have no BC & I feel that part of me is missing-not rushing to get another as I would be getting a puppy for all the wrong reasons. GSDs also a highly intelligent & tractable breed my second love.

And the Cavaliers they make you laugh & give comfort when you need it most-a true companion

The beardies were fun & intelligent too but if I was to get another it will be a working one

No other breed has ever even tempted me & I have handled so many breeds I lose track, from Poms to Great Danes to cardi corgis to newfoundlands & lots & lots in between Mainly pastoral/working/toys.

Sorry gundog/hound/terrier folks but nothing from any of these groups has ever appealed to me & I don't think ever will.

Whilst Cavaliers were used to hunt it was before guns were used & even back then they were a dual purpose companion hunting dog

Siberian Huskies all the way for me, If i had the space for another breed of dog it would be an Alaskan Malamute. But that would be several Huskies away. I enjoy my friends Malamutes for now.

Jenna.

My breed now is German Shepherds and this is mainly because my o/h parents were breeders. My first love was and always will be Chow Chows, I love the fact they are so stubborn and have a wonderful independant streak. I love my GSD's dearly but certainly would like to bring a Chow back into the home one day

Hi. I now have a two year old Weimaraner male but previously had 2 Boxer bitches (not at the same time). I love my Weim and he has oodles of character .. a little too much sometimes, lol, esp. in the show-ring but I think that once you've had a Boxer then you're under their spell for ever.

I went to a charity companion show two weeks ago and totally fell in love with a young Boxer girl there, she was licking my cheek really gently and then looked straight into my eyes and nuzzled into my neck. I was crying like a baby. Love Weim's but I think I'll always be a Boxer girl at heart.

Helen.

Had boxers for last eighteen years, still got four eldest is eight youngest is 14 weeks old. but ive often said we would have a change but never have, I think once you have owned a boxer and the breed has stole your heart very difficult to change. There are lots of other breeds out there that i like very much

We have had Boxers for 40+ years. We like the look, temperament etc. of a lot of other breeds, but cannot see past a Boxer for sheer beauty, spirit, humour, empathy, energy, loyalty, intelligence, affection, & all the other things that make up a wonderful dog.

Had Belgians for 20 years and love them for their versatility - you can do anything with a Belgian - Agility,obedience, working trials, search and rescue,heelwork to music, fly ball, man work,PAT dog work, theres even a couple being trained as Guide dogs and that's not to mention what stunning show dogs they are. But most of all I love them for their sense of humour and the sheer joy they get in being alive.

However I would dearly love to have a Eurasia one day and when I retire I'm going to get a couple of rescue Greyhounds ( oh the peace !!) :-)

I just went through deciding whether or not my second dog should be the same breed - a Cairn.  I was leaning toward a big dog, but my husband said he wanted another small dog.   So, that unfortunately ruled out a lot other breeds I would have been happy to own.  (Most likely would have been a Golden Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog.) 

I tortured myself for about three months trying to convince myself to get another breed.  In the end, I chose the same breed for most of the same reasons I acquired my first Cairn ten years ago.  They are healthy.  Natural (no tail docking.) Robust and sturdy.  Cute.  Always happy.  Love people.  Naturally great with children (I have young grandchildren).   Downside is grooming - I like them well groomed and don't like them to get too shaggy - and hand stripping regularly takes a lot of time. 

Would I ever get another breed. Yup. 

Stacey

My family have always had sight hounds (Afghans and more recently a lurcher) although the sighthounds are lovely gentle dogs, and fantastic to watch when hunting they are quite stand offish and not overly playful.  I chose the Irish Setter because of its natural looks (no docking) and its happy go-lucky personality.  Although I like other breeds I dont think I would have anything other than an Irish.  The Irish is a very versatile dog, when groomed and trimmed (but not trimmed too much) it makes a stunning show dog, on the other side of the coin they make tireless working dogs.  They also make great energetic family pets always ready to go for a run, play a game or climb on your lap for a cuddle when you are sad - trust me you need a big lap :D :D :D